Radiator woes

[Kylie]

Had a bit of an off at Brands Hatch, broke too hard after it had started raining and lost the front. Bike damage not so bad, got lots of cheap replacement bits from svspares and am almost road worthy again.

Radiator got bent however and was weeping coolant when idling, put some radweld in but that didn't seem to help, and after a short ride up the garden I now have a very thin jet of coolant squirting out. Doh.

Is there any cheap way to fix a leak like this, or do I need another one? svspares sell damaged ones that they claim don't leak, worth the risk? (a new one is £120!).

Depends where the leak is I guess as to whether the rad is gonna be repairable.

I have one off of my old curvy. Defo wasn't leaking when I took it off. And straight too.

Bloody hell that second pick the exit pipe looks bent? Mine has been dropped on the lef and the pipe is bent.

If you have tried that radweld stuff and it's still leaking I would say it's time for a new or second hand rad, sorry.

Originally Posted by vardypeeps

Bloody hell that second pick the exit pipe looks bent? Mine has been dropped on the lef and the pipe is bent.

That is my rad in those pics and it ain't bent.

[Kylie]

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

Depends where the leak is I guess as to whether the rad is gonna be repairable.

I have one off of my old curvy. Defo wasn't leaking when I took it off. And straight too.

Thanks for the response. I'm guessing that your curvy rad isn't going to fit my pointy K3 however, shame that.

Might take a punt on an old one from svspares and see how I get on. Haynes say its a 3 spanner difficulty job, plenty for me to make a bodge of then....

You can get them repaired - my SV100 rad was straightened and the leak fixed by a local garage after my off

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

That is my rad in those pics and it ain't bent.

+ 1, that is as straight as it comes from the factory.

Originally Posted by Kylie

Thanks for the response. I'm guessing that your curvy rad isn't going to fit my pointy K3 however, shame that.

Sorry Kylie should have looked more closely at your avatar. I only think of you having a Curvy. Rad job should be easy, especially if you haven't got the lowers. Bleeding the air out would be my only worry but at least you have a temp gauge to keep an eye on things. I would also advise that you make sure the fan kicks in at the right temp just in case the sensor is damaged.

Originally Posted by Dangerous Dave

+ 1, that is as straight as it comes from the factory.

Thanks for the confirmation DD.

[Kylie]

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

Sorry Kylie should have looked more closely at your avatar. I only think of you having a Curvy. Rad job should be easy, especially if you haven't got the lowers.

Lowers are looking a bit worse for wear after sliding down the track, so they've been removed for now. Looks like job would be easier still with upper fairing off but haynes don't seem to think I'll need to so thats good.

Quick scan of web shows cheapest rad repair outfit I can find is £60, will have a ring around tomorrow but at that price one from a breakers looks preferable.

Well a reputable breaker should give you a short guarantee. And as I imagine you'll fit it straight away and any fault should be quickly apparent I'd risk a s/h one.